Palestinian folklore, memory and resistance in Dubai

Palestinian artist Jumana Emil Abboud’s first solo exhibition in the United Arab Emirates opens at Jameel Arts Center in Dubai. Titled *‘The Storyteller and the Obedient Tide,’* the show blends mythmaking, folklore, and oral storytelling to examine cultural preservation, resistance, and environmental care. Curated by Indranjan Banerjee, the exhibition highlights the interplay between water, memory, and displacement, reflecting on the Palestinian struggle for liberation and return. The works explore two key themes: the five virtues outlined by 12th-century Arab Muslim philosopher Ibn Zafar in *‘Solwan’*—trust, fortitude, patience, contentment, and self-denial—and a folktale about fishermen shared between Palestinian and Japanese traditions. The exhibition’s title underscores the connection between storytelling and the natural world, questioning how hope and memory endure across destruction and isolation. The show features digital video, color, and sound installations, including *‘I Feel Everything’* (2022), which visually represents the ebb and flow of water as a metaphor for time and geography. By weaving mythology with contemporary experiences, Abboud’s work invites viewers to reflect on collective and personal histories tied to land and water. The exhibition runs until June 28 at Jameel Arts Center in Dubai. For more details, visit the center’s official page. Meanwhile, Dubai’s cultural scene expands with new initiatives. Taymour Grahne Projects celebrates Emirati female artists in *‘Five Painters,’* while Waddington Custot Dubai marks its 10-year anniversary with a group show on Alserkal Avenue. The city also welcomes Barrafina, a modern Spanish tapas restaurant in the Dubai International Financial Center, offering dishes like classic tortilla, gambas rojas, and Galician dry-aged beef.